haylie b photography

"it might be a crazy life but it's our life"

So, here's another story. It's one of those stories where I'm thinking, "hey--totally stunk when it happened but maybe in a couple months I'll look back on it and laugh"? Or not.

The nutshell version for those of you who don't have enough time to read:

Hollynd sick

Addie sick

Addie limps

Addie whines

Primary Children's Hospital Emergency Department

#1 IV

#2 IV because #1 IV infiltrated

couple blood draws

3 days in  the hospital

3 different sitters for each kid

3 days of take-out

3 days of pumping

Scared Lynn and Haylie

Addie's fine

Addie & Haylie finally go home

Haylie gets kidney infection

everyone is fine.

Ok. So here's the long --but fun-- illustrated version of what happened:

I called Addie's pediatrician Sun morning because we were going on day #3 with her having a high fever in addition to the fact the she began NOT using her right leg. I know--"what the...?!" She was limping everywhere since Sat evening. We thought she just pulled a muscle or something weird. The pediatrician said to take her up to Primary Children's Hospital. We did. Spent a loooovely evening sitting in the emergency department playing with the camera phone, trying to figure out why she wasn't walking and why there are so many bald tattooed men walking around the Emergency Dept. in a children's hospital. Um, scarrry. (Sorry, I was unable to photograph bald tattooed scary men). But I did get this one:

and this one:

Gotta' love those buddy dolls at Primary Children's hospital. (they are donated dolls that kids get to dress and color). Addie refused to put a pretend IV into her doll when offered. She did, however, make a Hollynd doll complete with pink underwear, hunter jewelry, tights and blonde curly hair in addition to creating a doll version of herself. Shows you how much she missed Hollynd. They sure are good buddies.

Anyway, they decided to admit Addie after getting an ultra-sound, an x-ray and doing blood tests. The pictures didn't show anything was wrong but the inflammatory markers in her blood did. (whatever that means). I majored in Spanish--not blood. Their best educated guess was that she was beginning to have a bone infection so they treated her for that and loaded her up with IV antibiotics. This is her hiding behind the chair when they told her she was going to get stuck. Nice try, Addie.

That was fun. It took 7 people including me to get an IV in her. Needless to say, she was pretty ticked off at me after they got it in. I couldn't help but photograph the occasion.

She was completely normal about 24 hrs after they started the antibiotics but they wouldn't let us go home for yet another day because they wanted her to get an MRI. They had to sedate her for that so the whole process took all day. The MRI results were normal and finally we were able to take our stoned daughter home. At least she was walking though. And, she is 4 more stuffed animals, 1 silly putty, 4 balloons, 1 boquet of flowers and 1 DVD richer--(thanks to everyone for making her day brighter with surprises!).

You thought the story was over. It's not. Addie got to go home but I didn't. I went straight to an Urgent Care facility because I was feeling crumby. Turns out I had a kidney infection. Sweet.

Addie is doing great. She had a couple friends visit today and played and played and played even without running into a wall or falling down the stairs (the doctors and nurses told me to watch her 24 hours because the sedation messes with her coordination). She's fine.

I'm fine. I was pumped with antibiotics too. No worries.

Life is lovely once again.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU so much to everyone for ALLLL YOUR GIFTS, TIME, PRAYERS AND HELP. I believe things happen for a reason. Although this wasn't real fun, I have come away with an even stronger testimony of the power of prayer and the priesthood. I really don't believe that her pain went away by magic. I don't think it a coincidence that the doctors just happened to "guess" what she might have and then just "wing it" with her treatment. I believe Addie's faith has grown as well. She's a strong little girl and has really grown from this experience. Just don't ever tell her she'll have to get an IV when she has a baby.

note: The title of this post is taken from Jon and Kate plus 8. You know that show on TLC? I like that show. It's a good show. Seriously makes me feel better about my own life. Makes my life seem VERY manageable.

Addie Oakley 2

It was "dress up as a Disney character" at school today. What character do you think Addie chose? Nope. Not Cinderella, not Belle. Not even Mulan. My awesome Addie made arrangements with her teacher and got special permission to dress up as Annie Oakley. She was so excited.

She surprises me! I thought for sure she would jump at the chance to dress up as a one of the princesses. I'm glad she didn't!

spotlight.

Addie's kindergarten teacher hangs up spotlight posters on the week of their birthdays. It was a surprise to us so it was really fun to read it.

I like how she listed Sea World as one of her favorite vacations. Um, we've never been to Sea World. Are you trying to tell us something, Ad? 

princess jack.

tiara.

bracelets.

princess slippers.

This is what happened to Jack when I left him with the girls for only a minute:

You know it had to happen sooner or later.

McKay, it's only a matter of  time. 

President Hinckley's viewing

We went to President Hinckley's viewing yesterday.

After speaking to a few people who went on Thursday, we thought we would be able to go through and leave in about 2 hours.   Me, Addie and Hollynd went with the Turner Family. The twins stayed home with my dear friend, Shalynn Nelson, and her girls went with us. It was a good trade. We got there at 3:30 to see this:

That was only the beginning. Then we saw this:

We left at 8:30p!

When people discovered we went, we were met with various questions like "was it worth it?"

Yes, actually, it really was. Seeing President Hinckley laying in state in the Hall of the Presidents for a but fleeting moment compared to the time we spent standing outside (2 hours), then inside (1 1/2 hours) then sitting in the hall (2 hours) was well worth it. I can't exactly put my finger on it but we are definitely a better people for doing it. I'm glad we went. I think Addie and Hollynd will remember it forever and that makes my heart smile.

6 years old.

edited to note: don't miss the "3 month" post about Jack & McKay. I added it tonight but shows that it published on the 23rd. Scroll back or just CLICK HERE.

• Morning person.
• Calls her parents funny names like "kuka-head".
• Loves arts & crafts.
• Loves pretend play.
• Pack-rat.
• Remarkable memory.
• Favorite food: grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Loves water. Hates pop & juice.
• "Boyfriend": Cade
• Best friends: Mariah, Chessa, Cade, Jenna, Hollynd
• Always volunteers to do her testimony in Primary.
• Gets really shy and embarrassed when asked to sing or dance.
• Loves anything hunting.
• Zones out when watching TV.
• Comes down in the middle of the night and sleeps on our floor in her homemade special bed (on a regular basis).
• Very thoughtful.
• Blue Dragon in Tae Kwan Do.
• Size 6 pants & shirt.
• about 47 lbs.
• Size 11 shoe.
• about 39 inches tall.

Addie Oakley

Addie has always loved cowgirls, cowboys, horses, guns, rodeo, etc.

This morning I woke up and she was dressed in her cowgirl get-up. She petitioned Lynn and I to tell her all we knew about cowgirls. The only famous one I know of was Annie Oakley. In her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, she insisted on calling Papa and Nana so they could tell her about Annie Oakley. She is pretty sure they know all things cowgirl so we did. After that, it was the internet. Her new hero is Annie Oakley and has adopted the name on herself as well. No longer is she Addie Bowler--she is now Addie Oakley.

Tough as nails. I can't wait to tell her about Amelia Earhart too.

blue belt test.

Did you know Jackie Chan showed up to Addie's belt test? 

Christmas Eve gift

This is to all our family and friends who can't be with us for Christmas:

Merry Christmas!

giving star.

Addie brings a lot of STUFF home from school. I'm sure everyone with elementary age children can relate. You know the STUFF I'm talking about: homemade kites, christmas ornaments, coloring pages of pirates, popsicle stick stars, mini jack-o-lanterns made out of a dryer hose...YES--EXACTLY! And consider this your warning, all you pre-mothers-of-future-elementary-school-kids: BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR MAJOR GRIEF THERAPY IF YOUR CHILD CATCHES YOU THROWING ANY OF IT AWAY!

So, what do we mothers do with all this stuff?

Addie brought home a doozy today. A grocery sack full of aforementioned STUFF. While I was sorting through it in the kitchen (i.e. secretly tossing it in the garbage), she and Hollynd snuck away to my room carrying an object that almost met its doom while their backs were turned. When I went to find them, I was surprised with this:

I know it's hard for you to tell but they secretly made my bed! Part of the STUFF that Addie brought home was that cute little star she's holding in her hand. It's called a giving star. It works like this: do a secret act of kindness and then pass on the star.

I shall NEVER throw away STUFF again. God bless the STUFF that kids bring home from school!

peace out.